Greek admiral, freedom fighter and politician.
Born on the Ionian island of Psara?.
He gained his fame during the Greek War of Independence (1821-29), notably at Chios, where in 1822 forces under his command destroyed the flagship of the Turkish admiral Pasha Kara-Ali in revenge for the [Massacre of Chios]?. He lead three further attacks against the Turkish fleet in 1822-24.
Kanaris served as Minister and then as Premier in 1848-49. In 1862 he was one of the few War of Independence veterans that helped in the bloodless revolution that deposed King Otto and put [Prince William of Denmark]? on the Greek throne as George I. Under George I, he was premier in 1864-65.